Cologne, January, 14-20, 2013
During the imm cologne, there were 180 square metres at the centre of Hall 3.2 that were clearly distinct from the rest of the trade fair: this is where designer duo Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien were given the opportunity to orchestrate the very first “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” special exhibition. Just a few hours after the opening of this year’s furniture trade fair it was already clear: “Das Haus” was not just well worth visiting, it proved to be an absolute crowd magnet”.
Who says modern everyday life and sensuousness have to be at odds with one another? The “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” installation by Doshi Levien at the imm cologne 2012 aims to furnish evidence to the contrary. In an installation that is visionary not just at architectural level but in creative terms as well, the design experiment is developing into a fascinating study on modern ways of living.
Most of the cubes are already standing, the structure that will be shaping Pure Village 2012 is already discernible. A big open space in the middle of Hall 3.2 is the only indication that there’s still something special in the offing. And this is exactly where the foundation stone for koelnmesse’s new design event “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” is to be laid. A few days before Christmas Eve, the imm cologne’s Creative Director Dick Spierenburg came by to see how things were progressing for himself and clarify the final details with the construction manager.
In just a few days from now, all the hustle and bustle will start again as the quiet that currently envelopes Hall 3.2 at koelnmesse Exhibition Centre gives way to a frenzy of activity. Then work will get underway to ensure that all who participate in Pure Village – the exhibitors, the newcomers of the D3 Talents platform and the new trade fair event “Das Haus” – can show themselves at their very best. The construction of the Pure Village segment is about to begin.
With furniture that oscillates between exotic charm and purist contours, Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien aren’t just bringing a whole new look to the world of interior design, they’re giving it individuality as well. Their installation “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage”, which the two young designers are busy planning for the next imm cologne, also looks set to be a very personal statement.
Pure Village is an offshoot of the “pure” segment in the neighbouring Hall 11 more than in name only. In the tightly packed Pure Village, design is the binding element between different areas of interior design. With the successful introduction of this new exhibition format in Hall 3.2 two years ago, the Cologne trade fair established an interdisciplinary design platform which takes the transformation of imm cologne into an all-inclusive furnishings exhibition one step further. Here, exhibitors from a wide range of industries, young designers and design labels, as well as a major new design event, present innovative product concepts and furnishing ideas in a highly compact form.
Dick Spierenburg is one of those designers with a wide-ranging sphere of activity who knows how to respond to media and consumer interests alike. The Dutchman developed the architecture of the new Pure Village trade fair project for Koelnmesse. Spierenburg hopes his exhibition concept will underline the imm cologne’s development from furniture show to interior design fair.
At imm cologne 2012, Pure Village will be hosting a new guest: the design installation “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” of the design studio Doshi Levien. In the interview Dick Spierenburg explains why the new imm cologne project is installed in the middle of Pure Village and what visitors can expect at hall 3.2 in 2012.
Designers Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien are designing the premiere of the imm cologne’s new series “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage”, the sponsors of which include colour specialists RAL. During the presentation of the concept and the initial designs for their installation at the London press conference on 22.09., the Anglo-Indian designer couple emphasised the important role played by the sensuous materiality and colourfulness of their wall elements. RAL’s new plastic sample chips proved ideal for creating interesting effects that reflect the couple’s ideas about transparency and colour.
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Starting in 2012, the international interior design fair imm cologne will again be hosting a major design event: “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage”. The project focuses on the design of an artificial living situation within the trade fair – public and yet very personal living space designed by Doshi Levien. The London-based design team will be kicking off the new format in January 2012.
